Monday, December 26, 2011

Windswept Larch

This rather boring Forest Larch was collected in the Spring of 2009. It was potted into its present container the following year and the tree was shortened for taper. I decided I wanted to have a go at a windswept tree with this one and thought the bow in the trunk would not only add tension in the design but add some visual balance as well.                           
The first styling in 2010

December 2011 and the tree has grown very well. 
Wire removed and ready for a thin out and some directional pruning
This picture was taken from the back of the tree. All shoots growing either towards the trunk or in the direction of the wind were pruned away. All branches growing into the wind were shortened in preparation for wiring.
The tree after thinning and pruning.
A rather blurred shot of the top of the tree after wiring
The full tree. It started to rain as I was placing branches so I will add another picture once the branches have been finally placed.
With just a little more tweaking. This has to be one of the more contrived trees I have created and it will need annual wiring to keep on top of the growth for a number of years.